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POOL TRIANGLE.

N0. 283.732. Patented Aug. 21, 1883.

A I I W :E I g g I:- H: 1 H i In WINES I WINVEN'TOR. WW a WM I fll'fidmw W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM H. WVIGGIN S, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED STATES STANDARD BILLIABD TABLE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

POOL-TRIANGLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,732, dated August 21, 1883 Application filed May 23,1883. (No model.)

- and a resident of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pool-Triangles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the wooden triangle which is used for inclosing the balls with which the game is played. In playing that game fifteen balls are usually placed upon a table covered with cloth or other like material, and arranged so as to form a triangle; five balls at the base, four balls on the next row, three on the next, two on the next, and one at the apex. For the-greater convenience and accuracy in the arrangement of these balls, a wooden framein the form of an equilateral triangle has hitherto been employed, with sharp or pointed corners, generally made entirely of wood. This frame is used to gather the balls together, and when they have been arranged inside of it it is moved upon the surface of the cloth of the table, back and forth, in order that the balls may thus roll into their places and be properly arranged with reference to each other, and move freely the one against the other. It has been found by practical experience that the use of the frame now employed for that purpose destroys the surface or nap of the cloth or other material and wears it out, spoiling the covering of the table.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction of this frame, so that it will not destroy the nap nor wear out the cloth,

and thereby will enable the table to be used longer and at less expense for repairs.

The invention consists in the combination of three joints or corners of indiarubber with three strips of wood of a length adapted to the size of the balls used in the game, so that when joined together, in the manner hereinafter described, the same constitute a frame just large enough to inclose readily the fifteen balls employed, and so that said balls, by means of such frame, can easily be moved back and forth upon the table, preserving their triangular arrangement, as hereinbefore described. In the three joints or corners of india-rubber dovetailed grooves are cut for the insertion of the wooden strips, which joints or corners of india-rubber are rounded on theinside and outside, and project on the upper and lower sides somewhat beyond the wooden strips, so that in moving the balls back and forth, by means of the frame so constructed, the rubber alone shall touch the cloth of the table, and there will be less friction and noise in the motion of the balls. All this will be hereinaftermore fully described with reference to the accompanying drawlngs.

Figure 1 represents .a vertical section of the frame, constructed as above mentioned, taken through the line H I in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan showing the method of connecting the side to the joints or corners. A B C are the corners or joints. D E F are the sides of the frame. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the frame.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The sides D E F are so firmly cemented to the joints that the frame preserves the necessary stiffness.

I do not limit myself to the use of the rubber for the joints, or wood for the sides, although these substances thus far appear to be the best adapted for the purpose; but any substances possessing the requisite stiffness could be used for the sides, and any substance possessing the requisite firmness, joined with elasticity, could be used for the joints. Nor do I limit myself to the precise method of uniting the two materials, as a frame might be constructed of wood, having its sides of wood in the common manner, and its edges armed or covered with strips of rubber or other protecting material.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A pool triangle or frame having its edges guarded or protected with rubber or its I equivalent, to save friction and to protect the cloth of the table from wear.

2. A triangular frame, with straight sides and rounded joints projecting slightly beyond the sides, of a size large enough to inclose the balls used in playing the game of pool, substantially as and for .the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 15th day of May, 1883.

WVitnesses: XVM. H. XVIGGINS.

EDWD. H. H. FORDER, JOHN J. REILLY. 

